Medical tools are necessary if you’re providing in-home care for someone, but they can be extremely expensive. In fact, hospitals spend more on supplies than on anything besides staffing.Hospitals and other medical facilities can negotiate directly with sellers or buy supplies through group purchasing organizations. You don’t have access to those, so you can either:Find medical supply stores that sell to the publicBuy from retailers such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and AmazonIt may be easier for you to buy kits. Many types are available that contain all the supplies you need for specific uses.This article goes over basic medical tools that you may need and what they’re used for.
Medical tools are necessary if you’re providing in-home care for someone, but they can be extremely expensive. In fact, hospitals spend more on supplies than on anything besides staffing.
Hospitals and other medical facilities can negotiate directly with sellers or buy supplies through group purchasing organizations. You don’t have access to those, so you can either:
It may be easier for you to buy kits. Many types are available that contain all the supplies you need for specific uses.
This article goes over basic medical tools that you may need and what they’re used for.
Standard ToolsEcho / Cultura / Getty ImagesIVA common medical need is an IV (intravenous) setup that delivers fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream. An IV setup includes an:IV bagLong, flexible tubeNeedleSecurement device (a butterfly-shaped piece used to secure the needle to the hand)The exact contents of IV kits depends on which one you choose, but they include things like:Prep, scrub, and alcohol padsGlovesDressingMedical tapeTourniquetGeneral ProcedureSupplies you’ll find in general purpose and standard procedure kits can include:GlovesCompartment trayCotton balls and swabsGauzeOther tools such as forceps, scissors, and scalpels
Standard Tools
Echo / Cultura / Getty Images
IV
A common medical need is an IV (intravenous) setup that delivers fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream. An IV setup includes an:
The exact contents of IV kits depends on which one you choose, but they include things like:
General Procedure
Supplies you’ll find in general purpose and standard procedure kits can include:
Diagnostic Tools
GIPhotoStock / Cultura / Getty Images
Some medical tools are used for making diagnoses or checking vital signs. These may be important to have on hand if you’re caring for someone in the home.
Stethoscope
Thermometer
Thermometersare used to determine body temperature. An abnormal temperature can point to certain problems, such as fever or hypothermia.
Two main types of thermometers are:
Mercury thermometers, which used mercury encased in glass, are no longer made due to safety concerns.
Blood Pressure Monitors
When takingblood pressureat home, you can go one of two ways:
Automated Blood Pressure Monitor
An automated monitor is simple to use. You put it on your wrist or arm (depending on the manufacturer’s instructions) and hit a button. The monitor does the rest of the work.
The accuracy of these may vary, so be sure to get a quality monitor. If you want to see how accurate yours is, take it to a medical appointment and compare it to the reading you get there.
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Professional Blood Pressure Kit
A professional blood pressure kit may include:
These setups are harder to use than an automated cuff.
Laceration ToolsAitor Diago / Getty ImagesLacerations are cuts. Laceration tools help clean, close, and protect cuts while they heal. Supplies often include:NeedlesSutures (medical thread)SyringesNeedle holdersMedicine cupsTowelsGauzeMedical tapeCompartment traysForcepsScissorsDepending on the nature of the cut, you may be able to use surgical glue, which is sometimes called liquid stitches or tissue adhesive. It’s safe and easier to use at home than stitches.
Laceration Tools
Aitor Diago / Getty Images
Lacerations are cuts. Laceration tools help clean, close, and protect cuts while they heal. Supplies often include:
Depending on the nature of the cut, you may be able to use surgical glue, which is sometimes called liquid stitches or tissue adhesive. It’s safe and easier to use at home than stitches.
Durable Medical ToolsGetty ImagesDurable medical tools are for everyday or extended use. These include things like:Hospital bedsStretchersOxygen equipmentCPAP(continuous positive airway pressure) machines for sleep apneaCrutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairsBraces, splints, slings, and wrapsShower chairsNebulizers(to change liquid medications into an inhalable mist)Pressure-reducing support surfaces (e.g., inflatable mattress toppers)You may need a prescription for some of these items, such as CPAPs or oxygen.
Durable Medical Tools
Getty Images
Durable medical tools are for everyday or extended use. These include things like:
You may need a prescription for some of these items, such as CPAPs or oxygen.
Diabetes Management ToolsMiodrag Gajic / Getty ImagesMedical supplies used to treat diabetes are designed for everyday home use. Many of them are considered durable medical equipment.Diabetes supplies include:Glucometers(glucose meters)to test blood sugar levelsGlucose test stripsLancing device and lancets, for finger pokesInsulinSyringes and needles or pre-filled auto-injector pensHydrogel to treat sores from needles and finger pokesAlcohol swabs for pre-injection skin cleaningSharps container for needle disposalHow to Give an Insulin Injection
Diabetes Management Tools
Miodrag Gajic / Getty Images
Medical supplies used to treat diabetes are designed for everyday home use. Many of them are considered durable medical equipment.
Diabetes supplies include:
How to Give an Insulin Injection
Paying for Medical ToolsMartin Barraud / Getty ImagesBefore you spend a lot of money on medical supplies, check to see if you have coverage for them through:Your health insurance policyMedicare or MedicaidWorker’s compensationSpecial programs through suppliers/manufacturersYou may need a prescription or approval from a healthcare provider for them to be covered.Keep in mind that some big box stores, drug stores, and online retailers carry medical tools. You may find better prices there than at medical supply stores.Check with local hospitals and clinics, too. Some of them accept donations of used medical tools and give them to people who can’t afford their own.Also, you may be able to rent some durable medical equipment, including hospital beds, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids. That can help keep costs down if it’s a short-term situation.
Paying for Medical Tools
Martin Barraud / Getty Images
Before you spend a lot of money on medical supplies, check to see if you have coverage for them through:
You may need a prescription or approval from a healthcare provider for them to be covered.
Keep in mind that some big box stores, drug stores, and online retailers carry medical tools. You may find better prices there than at medical supply stores.
Check with local hospitals and clinics, too. Some of them accept donations of used medical tools and give them to people who can’t afford their own.
Also, you may be able to rent some durable medical equipment, including hospital beds, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids. That can help keep costs down if it’s a short-term situation.
Summary
Setting yourself up to meet someone’s medical needs at home can require a lot of equipment. Depending on your needs, you may need:
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A Word From Verywell
Taking care of someone’s medical needs at home is an enormous and important job. Having the right tools can make things easier and better for you and the person you’re caring for.
While the person needing care may be your top priority, remember that you need to take care of yourself, as well.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can buy medical supplies at medical supply stores, drug stores, some big box stores, and from online retailers. You may also be able to rent supplies from medical supply stores.Medical devices are professionally sterilized in many ways, including steam, dry heat, radiation, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide.At home, the best method is often boiling. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to sterilize different products.Cost depends on the tool. For example, a glucose monitor for diabetes can run from under $10 to more than $1,000. A large item like a hospital bed can start around $500 and go up into the thousands.That depends. Buying used is generally fine for things like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and things that are easily sterilized.Use caution with soft items, such as a knee brace, that are harder to disinfect. Get advice from your healthcare provider before buying used items like a CPAP or breast pump, that could potentially spread infection.Check with local hospitals, home healthcare companies, and charitable organizations in your area to see who accepts donations. Donated supplies are often given to people who can’t afford them.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can buy medical supplies at medical supply stores, drug stores, some big box stores, and from online retailers. You may also be able to rent supplies from medical supply stores.
Medical devices are professionally sterilized in many ways, including steam, dry heat, radiation, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide.At home, the best method is often boiling. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to sterilize different products.
Cost depends on the tool. For example, a glucose monitor for diabetes can run from under $10 to more than $1,000. A large item like a hospital bed can start around $500 and go up into the thousands.
That depends. Buying used is generally fine for things like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and things that are easily sterilized.Use caution with soft items, such as a knee brace, that are harder to disinfect. Get advice from your healthcare provider before buying used items like a CPAP or breast pump, that could potentially spread infection.
That depends. Buying used is generally fine for things like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and things that are easily sterilized.
Use caution with soft items, such as a knee brace, that are harder to disinfect. Get advice from your healthcare provider before buying used items like a CPAP or breast pump, that could potentially spread infection.
Check with local hospitals, home healthcare companies, and charitable organizations in your area to see who accepts donations. Donated supplies are often given to people who can’t afford them.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Abdulsalam Y, Schneller E.Hospital supply expenses: an important ingredient in health services research.Med Care Res Rev. 2019;76(2):240-252. doi:10.1177/1077558717719928Department of Commerce.Comprehensive list of basic medical supplies.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ethylene oxide sterilization for medical devices.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Abdulsalam Y, Schneller E.Hospital supply expenses: an important ingredient in health services research.Med Care Res Rev. 2019;76(2):240-252. doi:10.1177/1077558717719928Department of Commerce.Comprehensive list of basic medical supplies.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ethylene oxide sterilization for medical devices.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Abdulsalam Y, Schneller E.Hospital supply expenses: an important ingredient in health services research.Med Care Res Rev. 2019;76(2):240-252. doi:10.1177/1077558717719928Department of Commerce.Comprehensive list of basic medical supplies.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ethylene oxide sterilization for medical devices.
Abdulsalam Y, Schneller E.Hospital supply expenses: an important ingredient in health services research.Med Care Res Rev. 2019;76(2):240-252. doi:10.1177/1077558717719928
Department of Commerce.Comprehensive list of basic medical supplies.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ethylene oxide sterilization for medical devices.
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